Peanut Butter and a Full Moon

Love and happiness remind me of sticky peanut butter. When you spread them around, you can't help but end up getting some on yourself!— Marcia Jordan, Hugs & Hope Club

Hello Everyone :) Apologies for not dropping by recently :(  life lately has been full of this and that, ups and downs and sticky moments! But like the quote above, friends will always stick by he he. So another Christmas done and dusted and another New Year to greet. I have a feeling deep down that this just may be the year that I finally sort myself out. So many friends have been supportive over 2011 and have encouraged me to step out of  of my comfort zone....you know who you are and for that I say a big THANK YOU :) One very special friend has been quietly in the background giving me the strength to believe in myself and take those steps forward....thanks from across the miles x 

Those of you who know me well are aware that I have an infinity with the moon! Especially when the full shiny moon sits in the clear sky at night watching over us....it never ceases to make me smile :) No as yet I do not go hairy and grow fangs....Mind you I was born on the 3rd of the 3rd at 3am, maybe that has something to do with it? Also both me and my eldest son were born during a full moon!!! lol

This picture was taken in my garden on the 10th December...so another reach for dreams and a wish...The next one is on January 9th so remember to take a peep, smile and reach for your dreams too.

The best Full moon was one I shared with a friend in September ....One that we observed and made wishes together,the most lovely bright silvery one that sat on the edge of the sea, one I believe will always be remembered....also another opportunity to sail a paper boat and smile.
This is short and sweet today....but heartfelt and sent to all my friends....I could not ask for a better circle of sticky peanut butter pals....lets all stick together in 2012 and reach our goals and dreams together.......A very Happy New Year to each of you ....Hugs 4 smiles M xx

Today I begin to understand what love must be, if it exists. When we are parted, we each feel the lack of the other half of ourselves. We are incomplete like a book in two volumes of which the first has been lost. That is what I imagine love to be: incompleteness in absence.— Edmond & Jules deGoncourt

An encounter with an Angel :)

                                  "Be not forgetful to entertain strangers, for by so doing

some have unwittingly entertained angels."~ Hebrews 13:2 ~

We dropped out youngest son off at uni 3 weeks ago, and although all we ever wanted was for our children to be healthy, happy and reach for their dreams, always knowing that one day they would step out into the big wide world and follow their own path and journey through life. I always knew that you only borrow your children, but it did not stop me feeling like I had both my arms removed. Suddenly tearful and feeling redundant I shed a few tears

knowing that its my time now to rediscover me, and also like the gang carve out a new path just as they are. I am lucky as many people do not have the opportunity to have the creativity I experience, which overflows into so many aspects of my life. I have always worked in the world of art and I know I am very charmed to be able to do so.

The Sunday after my son went to uni I went off to North Norfolk once again. A great leveller for me and the big skies free my mind. I also sail my paper boats here. I had 2 to sail this day, and when I had found a suitable spot I sent them onto the gentle waves carrying their special messages across the ocean. I watched them until they were no longer in sight.

The sky had started to turn and promised a lovely sunset. I walked back along the beach and back onto the edge of the prom. I turned back to admire the sky  when I heard someone say "Are you here for the sunset?" I turned to see an elderly lady in a motorised wheelchair, she was beautifully dressed and made up and had the most amazing smile. She reached her hand out and touched my arm and said "You only have your children in trust you know?" A tear appeared in the corner of my eye and words became stuck in the back of my throat. I nodded in agreement and went on to tell her that the last had flown the nest....how did she know I wondered?

She then briefly told me her story, how her bones were crumbling and she was on morphine, but still took all life had to offer. She involved herself in many projects and also travelled extensively, along with being as creative as she could, her hands did not now let her do her beloved wood turning, she found other ways to keep herself busy and active. She had just come back from Australia, her and her husband (who by now was chatting to mine) still drove, took days out, loved going for romantic meals and also sold all she made at farmers and craft markets, and that was the tip of the iceberg!

As the sky turned a deep red and orange she said it was my turn now to take life and embrace it....or I could just sit around do nothing and wait for God... you know her words totally struck home. I could sit in my now empty silent house dwelling on the past of ghosts of children laughing, playing and following me around like puppies, but those days will never happen again. So I owe her as well as myself some....well lots of me time, to be active, get my mojo back and rediscover who I am. I have had a few years now of hiding away, not ever knowing whether I will find light at the end of the tunnel......She then smiled at me and said they had better be on their way as her husband was not so good at standing for long periods of time now days....after all she finished up with.....he is now 92 and I am 91!!!!! you know as she and her hubby went on their merry way and vanished into the distance I was left behind with a sense of well being....I did wonder if she was an angel that had returned to earth to show me the new path  I should now tread.

Three weeks later and her face stays with me as do her words, already opportunities are coming my way and I am looking forward to another new creative journey....I wonder who she is helping now with her inspiring words of wisdom?

 If you seek an angel with an open heart, you shall always find one.

So a little melancholy tonight but sending with hugs 4 smiles to you all M xx

"Don't cry because it 's over....Smile because it happened"

Dr Seuss

Thats all I have to say today

Hugs 4 smiles M x

Doris, Jack and a new found confidence :)

 A few days have passed since I returned home from my trip to North Norfolk and although I am a little melancholy this afternoon, its for the right reasons. My mind keeps trailing back and reliving the 5 days I spent in my most favourite place. Norfolk is a leveller for me, but this time I went in search of confidence, and I have certainly found a small spark.
Lots of walking, meditation, thinking and having a special friend to ponder life with, has helped me regain a positive attitude.

This little river set in splendid surroundings helps power an old restored watermill, I found it by chance, the journey stopped abruptly as there was a ford across the road warning cars not to go across. So I parked up and took in natures wonderful beauty. Alongside the river a bench, the dedication was for Doris 1001 and Jack 89 who had loved the area and each other for many years. I sat for some time watching and pondering, in my head I made up little stories about the couple....did Doris feel the same way I do right now,  after her family grew up, did she regain a new confidence? I think maybe she did, she embraced life and all it had to offer, that's her secret for a long happy life  I think :)
So perhaps I will be a Doris and reach for my dreams. Jack well he is in my heart and always will be,   Jack was her forever love... 
A little bridge crossed the river and I could not resist playing Phoo Sticks....yep a middle aged woman reliving her childhood dropping sticks into the water, watching them race under the bridge and then cheering the winner. I was alone...I hope:)

A trip along the coast took me to a place called Eccles....the beach was almost deserted and I enjoyed hunting out witch stones, for any of you that don't know a what a witch stone is, its one that has a hole all the way through. I then sat for a while and took in the atmosphere. Couples arm in arm , children content in the autumn sunshine to paddle and build sandcastles, excited dogs running in and out of the surf enjoying their freedom.

I spotted this man who seemed to be pondering the meaning of life, I captured the moment as he seemed to be doing the same as me, re-evaluating and at a crossroads in life. I wonder has he got a Doris in his life?? 
So home now and have re-discovered my Mojo....Drop the negative thoughts that keep me in my cage...I can see the colours a little more clearly now and I plan to do mostly positive things. Today well its the start of a new journey of discovery, baby steps to start with and not trying too much at once. I  have a list of life and heave already ticked off 2 items. 
People without Mojo see lemons as lemons. People who have Mojo take lemons and make lemonade...I know who I would rather be :)


So as the sun set on the last day of my trip it was time to say goodbye....time for new beginnings................ 

'What it is....is what it is'

Hugs for lots of new smiles M xx

Cloud Cuckoo Land, courage and moving on!

Cloud Cuckoo Cottage is set in a pretty row of terraces in Cromer, North Norfolk. The name is very apt for me as after 3 years of living in cloud cuckoo land inside my head, it seems I am taking a few steps forward. Its not easy by any means...like the Lion in The Wizard of Oz  I seem to of lost my courage somewhere along the way like he did. Some days just getting to the local supermarket becomes an ordeal, which is very frustrating as it was not so long ago I would reach for the moon and follow dreams. I feel like a little bird in a cage....but I know I have the wings to fly and make changes.

So I am at the crossroads right now, I can either stay the way I am....or embrace the future, and live my life. My Aunt threw those words at me over the weekend, and yes she is right, I can either sit around waiting for God, of go for it and embrace life as I did a few years ago. Of course there are many changes, children are adults now, and no longer need my full attention, The house still feels so unfamiliar after the restoration...if you don't know we had a major house fire 3 years ago, and I find myself almost guarding my nest in case it happens all over again. I no longer have my dogs to walk each day and so much of my creativity has vanished. But I am sure it will all come back and hit me on the head. he he

When I listened to My Aunt I suddenly took on old age as something to look forward to...she is active in the community, learned to drive at 61, loves to dress up and indeed she is very trendy.. She has enrolled to take a computer course, which will open a whole new world for her as she knows nothing about this technology....rock on girl you will soon be blogging and setting up on Facebook! Oh and at 76 she is off to have her first Tattoo this week!!

Last week I has a 2 day adventure of my own, a trip away was just what i needed to boost my self esteem. Facing my fears was not easy but the feeling afterwards was euphoric. No monsters those 2 days He he x
So onward and upward one day at a time. I have booked a short break to my favourite part of the world....yep you have guessed Norfolk. i will be taking part in a yoga and meditation workshop and after I am chilled and calm spend the next couple of days revisiting favourite familiar places and catching up with a very special friend.Maybe we will get to sail paper boats, throw found driftwood back into the sea on a new journey, and of course sip tea and eat cake in a steamy tea shop :)
Hopefully standing on my own 2 feet for a few days will be the foundations for a new confident journey ahead, and I will dance down that yellow brick road just like the lion with his friends. You never know I might even join my aunt and get a tattoo!!!! lol 

The next full moon is on the 12th September which will be the start of my trip....and I will be looking at that moon and making a wish and reaching up for new hopes and dreams.Watch this space :) Hugs 4 smiles M x

Butterflies, fairies and lollipops :)

Auntie Margaret and me!

Meeting up with one of my aunts this weekend was therapy indeed. My family is one divided and I had not seen Margaret for a very long time, over 25 years, and until now I have seen few of my extended family, my parents died a fair while ago, so this was a chance to discover a little bit about me and my roots.
I have a few childhood memories of Margaret, my uncle and my 2 cousins, and the same goes for many other aunts cousins and extended family. 
Margeret was so very welcoming and we had a lovely weekend catching up with chit chat.Old albums were brought out to ponder over while we sipped tea and munched on lovely light Welsh cakes, she lives in Wales and is very proud to do so. We also got to learn a few Welsh sayings and discovered lots of Welsh culture.

My great Grandmother

My Great Great Grandmother

Over the past few years I have spent time tracing the Wall family tree, and have researched back to 1700 and discovered where and when these people lived but until now many have remained faceless.Margaret enlightened us with happy and sad stories of days gone by and helped fill in some of the gaps. Many of my ancestors came from Shropshire and worked on the land and judging by their photos life was quite tough.
As we turned the pages I could find few facial similarities between myself and the eyes looking back at me, I suppose I have taken my Mothers Jewish looks on instead! But some of the stories my aunt shared made me realise some of these people had left their footprint on my funny little ways. I discovered my Gran loved fairies and always decorated a small tree at Christmas with lollipops for the children who dropped by. If you have read any of my other posts you will know my fascination with fairies, perhaps it is due to her that I break the shell of a boiled egg on finishing it, to let the fairy out. And up until a few years ago I always decorated a branch sprayed with gold and silver paint with colourful lollipops for anyone who dropped by over the festive season. I seem to of stopped doing this now my gang have grown up, but maybe its time to return to the tradition!
I am the worlds worst fidget and rarely keep still....oh and talk to myself....light candles each day and it appears my aunt is the same. I worry sometimes about old age too, but Margaret is 76, wears really trendy clothes, loves life, and buzzes around like someone much younger.....oh and she is also having a tattoo done next week of 2 butterflies....I am a fan of butterflies too. 'When I am old I will will wear purple' springs to mind, but in this case its 'when I am old I will have a tattoo'....he he 

My Grandmother and Grandfather on a day out

                                       

A young grandfather

Granny as a girl

It was fantastic to gather up the stories of her childhood with her brothers and sisters, and all the extended family, the album really came to life.And I feel I have discovered a little bit about me!

My Gran, Margaret on right, Peg (Primrose left) Clive (my Father) in front

So if you have an elderly relative, drop by and get them to chat about the 'good old days' you will be surprised at the little snippets of information that they give you about family....and Oh boy do we have lots of skeletons in the cupboard!!! But that's another story.
Hugs for now M xx

Dreams and Driftwood

Aberdeen 

I seem to of been in hibernation for a bit, creativity has eluded me these past few weeks, but once again I have bounced back for a while anyway!! The picture of distant boats on the sea at Aberdeen reminded me of my Paper Boats, setting them to sail and hoping they reach their destination.Words written oh so carefully on  paper, of secrets hopes and dreams, then carefully folding the paper into a little boat, and letting it free on the waves, along with its spell, watching it drift away on its own, finding its path and enjoying the adventure, a bit like me really, seeking out a new journey, new dreams to reach for. 

I know I am not the only person who sends dreams across the ocean....I have a friend who on finding driftwood, sends it back on its journey after whispering a few quiet words. I wonder if their hopes and dreams are similar to mine.. maybe.. I shall never know. But its a bit like a child crossing their fingers for luck....you never know what may come back :)

 I picked up some driftwood on the beach in Aberdeen and unlike my friend I brought them home to capture their colours and textures in pencil. I wonder what stories these sea washed branches can tell? Adventures from all over, stopping here and there for a moment... or longer, someone walking on by and throwing them back, or a dog picking them up taking them to their owner for a game of fetch. Children decorating sandcastles, or playing games of dragons and knights in armour, with the branches becoming swords, or people like me stopping to admire their rugged beauty and wonder......making up fanciful stories....

You know I do believe paper boats come home, and driftwood keeps its words of dreams inside resting one day on the beach....and like the boats when they are discovered by the right recipient the words are shared..... Who knows...Dreams can come true....
Well hugs 4 smiles, and I hope your dreams come true as well xxx

Endings and New Beginnings.....

Hello all, hope everything is good in your world? I have been busy lately so there has been little time for dropping by here. Our house right now is full of endings and new beginnings. Morgan has come to the end of his school life and moves on to Uni in the Autumn....as does his girlfriend Em. Charlene graduated from Aberdeen Uni last week and is now taking that scary step into the workplace. Gareth is about to change his job and move on to greater things, and his wife Sarah has just qualified as a Doctor. So lots of changes for them....of luck gang and I am proud of each and every one of you x

I realised along time ago, you only borrow your children, nurture them, love them and guide them. Enjoy as many moments as you can with them as they grow up so fast. Let them go and tread the path of life, spreading their wings, allowing them to reach for their hopes and dreams. Now I stand on the sidelines and watch....giving them guidance if need be, a shoulder to cry on and the odd dinner or two....oh and some things will never change... my love for you all.....x

So I believe now its new beginnings for me....where this path will go I have no idea....all I can say is, it will be fun finding out! xx

Bright lights ...oh and more strawberries!!

Hello once again  :) I hope all is bright and happy in your world? 

My days have been busy, gathering yet more strawberries, we are now up to 75pounds! But the crop has now finished....good in one way as I will admit I am getting tired of the red juicy sweet fruits. some nights as I shut my eyes the first image that pops in my mind is a bowl of strawberries! Now I am on to gathering broad beans, blackberries, mange tout, beetroot, broccoli and redcurrants. As I shelled the peas and beans and prepared blackcurrants yesterday, my youngest son said "You know that is why we have Tescos to make life easy, pop in buy the veg, take home, cook, eat and enjoy", he has a point, it took a good couple of hours to finish the task. But when I served up some of the bounty for Sunday dinner the chore was forgotten and the taste of freshly gathered and prepared food was sooooooooo good.
I have also had some creative days, another bag based on the Bright Lights theme that I and a few other textile artists are working to. Hopefully this time next year we will be taking our combined work on exhibition.

This work started life as pieces of collaged vintage textiles and threads, then heavily machine stitched together to form a whole cloth. The shapes of these bags are based on loose drawings of the human form. Once cut out the new cloth is embellished, lined and stitched. Apart from small seed beads I make all the components myself, again using up-cycled ingredients! The colours are based on some lovely dancing bright light reflections across the water in Sydney Harbour. A feast of colour for the eyes that always inspire me on my creative journeys. I return to these images time and time again. 

 Detail of hand made cords and beads

Close up detail of design and stitch

 Contrasting lining

Another close up of detail

I hope you have enjoyed the riot of colour and its made you smile and brightened your day? 

Hugs 4 smiles M xx

Are we human...or are we strawberry?

Yep more strawberry stories lol.......we have had a bumper crop of them this year over 52lbs now and still picking. I have enough jam now to last us around 5 years! If I mention the strawberry word the family groan and vanish in case I put yet another culinary strawberry delight in front of them! We have had scones, victoria sponges, cheesecake, strawberry shortbread muffins (they were scrummy, I will put the recipe up at the end of this) strawberries in balsamic vinegar, mousse, ice cream and lots of bowls of the soft fruits with cream!


Having gathered up another 12lb on Monday I spend a while carefully washing them. As I sorted through putting perfect ones in a bowl for friends and family, small ones for cakes and tiny ones to turn into jam. I stopped to look at the misshapen ones and put them to one side,

Wondering what to do with these not so perfect ones It came to mind that just because they were not perfect strawberry shape, on the inside they would be as sweet and maybe even better than the ones I had singled out as perfect. I decided that would serve up a mixture of all shapes and sizes and figured that the odd shaped ones were actually not only more interesting but they tasted sweeter too.


This got me thinking so many people aspire to be perfect and tend to shun those who do not fit into the same box. We all come in all shapes and sizes with different aspirations,jobs, hobbies, personalities and ideas. Me being one of the the misshapes, struggle with being different. But these strawberries have taught me that no matter what our daily struggles are we are as sweet if not better inside despite our flaws!

STRAWBERRY SHORTCAKE MUFFINS

Ingredients

• 2 Cups plain flour
• 2 tsp. baking powder
• 3/4 Cups. sugar
• 1/2 C. butter
• 1 egg
• 1 Cups double cream
• 1 tsp. vanilla
• 1 Cups diced strawberries, well drained

Directions

Preheat oven to 180We  degrees. Grease 12 muffin cups. In large bowl mix together flour, baking powder and sugar. Cut in butter as for pastry until it is in small pea-size pieces. In small bowl mix egg, vanilla and cream then add all at once to flour mixture. Stir with spoon until blended. Gently mix in strawberries. Spoon into muffin cups and bake for about 25 minutes. Cool completely in pan before removing. Sprinkle with icing sugar to serve. 

Hello once again :)

Hello everyone....how are you all? I have been busy lately and have had little time to myself to write on my blog. The 3 groups that meet here have been busy and creativity is in abundance, which in turn inspires and motivates me to be creative myself. These past 4 years have been difficult and that has resulted in my mind closing down and not allowing me to live my normal life. Hey ho that the way it goes sometimes.


We drove back up to Aberdeen again, this time to help move my daughter out from her apartment. She has finally graduated after 4 years of study. Back at home now she is seeking a job, although I get the feeling it wont be long before she returns to education as she has spoken about doing a Ph.D......SO only one more trip to the granite city for her graduation day....I feel another new dress is on the list...he he.


Last weekend saw us at Royal Ascot once again. And guess what.......I won a small amount on my first race :) The money was irrelevant but the joy of at last backing a horse that did not come last or fall was a thing of wonder and joy! I was so excited and returning back to our table I shared my excitement with the rest of our group. A glass of Champagne was poured and that's where my clumsiness took hold! Waving my arms around whilst talking often gets me into trouble and today was no exception.My hand made a connection with the glass....you know one glass of bubbly can go along way when its knocked over. That soon brought me back down to earth, and I sat down with a very red face! 
The arrival of the Royal party brought lots of hand clapping and cheering, which was nice. Also the fashion show that was put on in our restaurant was pretty spectacular too, with my favourite being the Vivienne Westwood collection, she is always a source of inspiration for me!


The next day we attended the last of day of a 3 day Hindu wedding. It certainly was a feast for the eyes with the most wonderful colourful, glittery saris on display. Although we were given a sheet written in English with all the ceremonies that we were going to see during the 2 hours I was still at a loss sometimes to know what was going on. All the same I would not of missed the experience, or the curry and the hospitality of wonderful people! Oh and the bride looked stunning and was very beautiful. I wish them all happiness for a long and happy life together :) 


Well that's it for now....later I am going to bore you once again on the subject of strawberries. Watch this space!!! 
Hugs 4 smiles M xx

Sunday and Strawberry Jam

Ahhhhhhhhhh Sunday means tea and a read of the papers over a lazy breakfast of boiled eggs and buttered toast, and yep I let the fairy out of the egg....see an earlier post about that!
I prepared a big bowl of strawberries last night ready to turn into jam this morning. The whole house now smells delightful...I have home made bread on the way so I am sure it wont be long before everyone congregates  around the kitchen table for an early lunch of warm bread and jam....mmmmmmmmm  So much for watching our waistlines!!!
Looking over the strawberry patch this morning another large bowlful are ready to be picked.....time to share some with my friends me thinks. 
Have a great rest of Sunday, I am off to my studio now to do what I like best and carry on with my latest project. Hugs 4 smiles M xxx

Legends and Lore of Strawberries:

In provincial France, strawberries were regarded as an aphrodisiac. Newlyweds were served always served a cold strawberry soup.

The strawberry was a symbol for Venus, the Goddess of Love, because of its heart shapes and red colour.

Have you every eaten a double strawberry? Legend says that if you break the strawberry in half and share it with a member of the opposite sex, you will soon fall in love with each other.

In parts of Bavaria, people still practice the annual rite each spring of tying small baskets of wild strawberries to the horns of their cattle as an offering to elves. They believe that the elves, who are passionately fond of strawberries, will help to produce healthy calves and abundance of milk in return.

Queen Anne Boleyn, the second wife of Henry VIII had a strawberry shaped birthmark on her neck, which some claimed proved she was a witch.

To symbolize perfection and righteousness, medieval stone masons carved strawberry designs on altars and around the tops of pillars in churches and cathedrals.

The strawberry, a member of the rose family, is unique in that it is the only fruit with seeds on the outside rather than the inside.